Somalia / Somali Red Crescent compound hit by mortar

Somalia / Somali Red Crescent compound hit by mortar

MOGADISHU, Somalia, April 14, 2009/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The compound housing a limb-fitting centre of the Somali Red Crescent Society was hit by a mortar on Monday afternoon, 13 April, killing one civilian and wounding five others, none of whom were staff of the Somali Red Crescent or patients. The centre was clearly marked with the red crescent emblem.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the Somali Red Crescent are deeply saddened by the incident and the bloodshed it caused, and wish to extend their heartfelt condolences to the family of the person killed.

“The incident illustrates once more how dangerous it is in Mogadishu and how difficult it can be to provide victims of the armed conflict with medical care and humanitarian aid,” said Dr Ahmed M. Hassan, the president of the Somali Red Crescent.

Although nothing suggests that the centre was deliberately targeted, the ICRC and the Somali Red Crescent remind all parties concerned of their obligation to respect and protect at all times medical staff and infrastructure such as hospitals, clinics and limb-fitting and rehabilitation centres.

The ICRC continues to work closely with the Somali Red Crescent and remains a key provider of emergency aid for victims of conflict and natural disasters in Somalia. It has maintained an uninterrupted presence in the country since 1982.